System and method for indicating operational characteristics of a lighting system

ABSTRACT

A lighting system including a light source and a controller having an electronic processor and memory. The controller is configured to compare an operational characteristic of the light to a predetermined operational characteristic, and output a signal based on the comparison of the operational characteristic of the light to the predetermined operational characteristic.

RELATED APPLICATION

The application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/751,918, filed Jan. 24, 2020, which claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/371,695, filed Apr. 1, 2019, which claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/796,136, filed Oct. 27, 2017, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/415,031, filed Oct. 31, 2016, the entire contents both of which are hereby incorporated.

FIELD

Embodiments relate to luminaire or lighting systems.

SUMMARY

Lighting systems typically include light-emitting diodes (LEDs). High Intensity Narrow Spectrum (HINS) lighting systems include LEDs configured to output light within a wavelength of approximately 400 nm to approximately 440 nm, such as but not limited to approximately 405 nm. Such wavelength has been shown to disinfect surfaces. Accurate dosage and duration of the HINS light is necessary for effective disinfection. However, HINS light is not visible by the human eye. Therefore, it may be difficult for a user to determine when the light is operating correctly or in operation at all.

Thus, in one embodiment, the application provides a lighting system including a high intensity narrow spectrum light source and a controller having an electronic processor and memory. The controller is configured to compare an operational characteristic of the high intensity narrow spectrum light to a predetermined operational characteristic, and output a signal based on the comparison of the operational characteristic of the high intensity narrow spectrum light to the predetermined operational characteristic.

In another embodiment the application provides a method of operating a high intensity narrow spectrum light source. The method includes comparing, via a controller, an operational characteristic of the high intensity narrow spectrum light source to a predetermined operational characteristic. The method further includes outputting, via the controller, a signal based on the comparison of the operational characteristic of the high intensity narrow spectrum light source to the predetermined operational characteristic.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a lighting system according to some embodiments of the application

FIG. 2 illustrates a control system of the lighting system of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments of the application.

FIG. 3 illustrates an indicator of the lighting system of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments of the application.

FIG. 4 illustrates an operation of the lighting system of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments of the application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

FIG. 1 illustrates a lighting system 100 according to some embodiments of the application. The lighting system 100 includes a housing 105 and one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) 110 contained within the housing. Although illustrated as a recessed ambient lighting system, lighting system 100 may be a recessed down lighting system, a suspended direct lighting system, a suspended indirect lighting system, a track lighting system, an area lighting system, a flood lighting system, etc.

The LEDs 110 may be high intensity narrow spectrum (HINS) LEDs. In some embodiments, the HINS LEDs have an output frequency of approximately 380 nm to approximately 440 nm. In other embodiments the HINS LEDs have an output frequency of approximately 400 nm to approximately 440 nm. In such embodiments, the HINS LED may have an output frequency of approximately 405 nm.

In some embodiments, the lighting system 100 may include an optic coupled to the LEDs 110. In such an embodiment, the optic may be a diffusion optic, a prismatic optic, a reflector optic, a total internal reflection (TIR) optic, a combination optic, a light pipe or edge lit optic, etc.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a control system 150 of the lighting system 100 according to some embodiments of the application. As illustrated, the control system 150 includes a controller 200 electrically and/or communicatively coupled to a power source 205 (via power supply 210), a driver 215, and an input/output module 220. The controller 200 includes a plurality of electrical and electronic components that provide power, operational control, and protection to the components and modules within the controller 200 and/or the lighting system 100. For example, the controller 200 includes, among other things, a processing unit 225 (e.g., a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or another suitable programmable device) and a memory 230. In some embodiments, the controller 200 is implemented partially or entirely on a printed circuit board or a semiconductor (e.g., a field-programmable gate array [“FPGA”] semiconductor) chip, such as a chip developed through a register transfer level (“RTL”) design process.

The power supply 205 supplies a nominal power to the controller 200. In some embodiments, the power supply 205 receives an alternating-current (AC) power from the power source 205 and converts the AC power into a nominal direct-current (DC) power. The power source 205 may supply an AC power having approximately 100V to approximately 120V at a frequency of approximately 50 Hz to approximately 60 Hz. In other embodiments, the power source 205 supplies an AC power having approximately 200V to approximately 240V at a frequency of approximately 50 Hz to approximately 60 Hz. In other embodiments, the power supply 210 includes a battery, or other power storage device.

The driver 215 receives power from the power supply 210 and provides an output drive signal, typically a constant current at a specific voltage, to the LEDs 110. In other embodiments, the driver 215 may receive power directly from power source 205. In some embodiments, the driver 215 receives a control signal from the controller 200. In such an embodiment, the driver 215 may vary the output drive signal based on the control signal.

The control system 150 further includes a feedback loop 235. The feedback loop 235 is configured to provide the controller 200 with operational characteristics of the LEDs 110. For example, in some embodiments, the feedback loop 235 provides information related to whether the LEDs 110 are currently operating and the current operating frequency of the LEDs 110. The controller 200 may record the operational characteristics of the LEDs in the memory 230 in order to determine further characteristics of the LEDs 110, for example but not limited to, the duration of time the LEDs 110 have operated since initial installation and the duration of time the LEDs 110 have operated since last replacement. Such additional characteristics may be used to determine when replacement of LEDs in the lighting system 100 are required. Although illustrated as being between LED 110 and the controller 200, in other embodiments, the feedback loop 235 may be between the driver 215 and controller 200.

The input/output module 220 provides communication links between controller 200 and various components, such as but not limited to, an indicator 240 and a network 245. In some embodiments, the communication links provided by the input/output module 220 are wireless communication links, while in other embodiments, the communication links are wired communication links. The indicator 240 is configured to provide an indication to a user. In some embodiments, the indication is based on the operational characteristics of the LEDs 110. The indicator 240 may provide a visual indication (for example, via a light, such as but not limited to an LED) and/or an audio indication (for example, via a speaker). In some embodiments, the indicator 240 may be located in the housing 105. As discussed in more details below, the indicator 240 may be located remotely from the housing 105.

The network 245 may be, for example, a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), or a personal area network (PAN). Network 245 is configured to provide a second communication link between the control system 150 and one or more outside devices 250. The outside device 250 may be, but is not limited to, a smart phone, a tablet, a laptop, a server, and a computer. Using the second communication link, the outside device 250 may be configured to receive the operational characteristics of the LEDs 110 from the control system 150. Such operational characteristics may then be stored by the outside device 250. In some embodiments, the outside device 250 may be part of a system of outside devices, such as a building management system (BMS). In some embodiments, the outside device 250 may be configured to alert a user when a particular lighting system 100, in a group of lighting systems, is in need of LED replacement.

As discussed above, the controller 205, via the feedback loop 235, may monitor and/or filter the operating frequency of the LEDs 110. In some embodiments, the controller 205 compares the operating frequency of the LEDs 110 to a predetermined operating frequency threshold (for example, approximately 400 nm, 405 nm, etc.). When the operating frequency of the LEDs 110 crosses (for example, is above or below) the predetermined threshold, the controller 205 may control, via the driver 215, the LEDs 110 to maintain the operating frequency of the LEDs 110 to the predetermined threshold. Additionally, when the operating frequency of the LEDs 110 crosses (for example, is above or below) the predetermined threshold, the controller 205 may disconnect power to the LEDs 110. Furthermore, when the operating frequency of the LEDs 110 crosses (for example, is above or below) the predetermined threshold, the controller 205 may provide an indication to the user via the input/output module 220, indicator 240, and/or network 245. In some embodiments, the lighting system 100 may further include a mechanical shade. In such an embodiment, the controller 205 may be configured to control the mechanical shade to selectively cover the LEDs 110 when the operating frequency of the LEDs 110 crosses (for example, is above or below) a predetermined frequency (for example, approximately 400 nm, 405 nm, etc.). In some embodiments, the mechanical shade may be a lens, or filter, configured to block light above or below a predetermined frequency (for example, approximately 400 nm, 405 nm, etc.).

FIG. 3 illustrates an indicator 300 according to some embodiments of the application. In such an embodiment, the indicator 300 is located remotely from the housing 105, for example but not limited to, in the same room of a building as the housing 105 or in another room of the building.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, in some embodiments, the indicator 300 includes a housing 305 having an IN OPERATION light 310, a REPLACEMENT NEEDED light 315, a FILTER ON 320, a FILTER OFF 325, a speaker 330, and a communications module 335. The IN OPERATION light 310 is configured to illuminate when LEDs 110 are currently in operation. The REPLACEMENT NEEDED light 315 is configured to illuminate when LEDs 110 are in need of replacement. The FILTER ON 320 is configured to illuminate when the controller 205 is monitoring the LEDs 110, via the feedback loop 235, to prevent the LEDs 110 from crossing the predetermined operating frequency threshold. The FILTER OFF 325 is configured to illuminate when the controller 205 is not monitoring the LEDs 110, via the feedback loop 235, to prevent the LEDs 110 from crossing the predetermined operating frequency threshold.

The speaker 330 may be used in alternatively or in addition to the lights 310, 315, 320, and 325, to indicate various operational characteristics of the LEDs 110. In some embodiments, lights 310, 315, 320, and 325 are LEDs operating at a frequency visual to the user. In some embodiments, the lights 310, 315, 320, and 325, may be similar colors. In some embodiments, the lights 310, 315, 320, and 325, may be different colors.

The communications module 335 is configured to provide communications between the indicator 300 and the control system 150 (via the input/output module 220). In some embodiments, the communications module 335 is a wireless communications module using a wireless communications protocol, such as but not limited to, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and ZigBee. In other embodiments, the communications module 335 is a wired communications module.

FIG. 4 illustrates an operation, or process, 400 for the lighting system 100. It should be understood that the order of the steps disclosed in process 400 could vary. Furthermore, additional steps may be added to the sequence and not all of the steps may be required. The light system 100 receives power from the power source 205 (block 405). The controller 200 controls the driver 215 to output the drive signal to the LEDs 110 (block 410). The controller 200 receives operational characteristics of the LEDs 110 via the feedback loop 235 (block 415). The controller 200 stores and outputs the operational characteristics of the LEDs 110 via the input/output module 220 (block 420). As discussed above, the operational characteristics of the LEDs 110 may be output to the indicator 240, 300, one or more devices 250 (via network 245), or both.

Thus, the invention provides, among other things, a system and method for providing a visual, audible, and/or electronic data notifications to communicate operational characteristics of a lighting system. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A lighting system comprising: a light source; and a controller having an electronic processor and memory, the controller configured to compare an operational characteristic of the light to a predetermined operational characteristic, and output a signal based on the comparison of the operational characteristic of the light to the predetermined operational characteristic.
 2. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the light source is a narrow spectrum light source.
 3. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the signal is output to an indicator.
 4. The lighting system of claim 3, wherein the indicator provides an indication to a user upon receiving the signal.
 5. The lighting system of claim 3, wherein the indicator is located on a housing of the lighting system.
 6. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the signal is output to an outside device.
 7. The lighting system of claim 6, wherein the outside device provides an indication to a user upon receiving the signal.
 8. The lighting system of claim 6, wherein the outside device is at least one selected from a group consisting of an external computing device, a tablet, a smart phone, and a component of a building management system.
 9. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the operational characteristic is an operating frequency of the light.
 10. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the operational characteristic is a duration of time.
 11. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the operational characteristic is a dosage.
 12. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the signal is output to a driver to control the light source to operate at the predetermined operational characteristic.
 13. The lighting system of claim 12, wherein the predetermined operational characteristic is a predetermined operating frequency.
 14. A method of operating a light source, the method comprising: comparing, via a controller, an operational characteristic of the light source to a predetermined operational characteristic; and outputting, via the controller, signal based on the comparison of the operational characteristic of the light source to the predetermined operational characteristic.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the light source is a narrow spectrum light source.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the signal is output to an indicator.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the indicator provides an indication to a user upon receiving the signal.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the indicator is located on a housing of the lighting system.
 19. The method of claim 14, wherein the signal is output to an outside device.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the outside device provides an indication to a user upon receiving the signal.
 21. The method of claim 19, wherein the outside device is at least one selected from a group consisting of an external computing device, a tablet, a smart phone, and a component of a building management system.
 22. The method of claim 14, wherein the operational characteristic is an operating frequency of the high intensity narrow spectrum light.
 23. The method of claim 14, wherein the operational characteristic is a duration of time.
 24. The method of claim 14, wherein the operational characteristic is a dosage.
 25. The method of claim 14, further comprising: receiving, via a driver, the signal, and controlling, via the driver and in response to receiving the signal, the light source to operate at the predetermined operational characteristic.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the predetermined operational is a predetermined operating frequency. 